Method of closing spaces between submerged bodies



(No Model.)

0. SOOYSMITH.

METHOD OF CLOSING SPACES BETWEEN SUBMERGBD BODIES.

Patented Dec. 1, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT triers. T

CHARLES SOOYSMIIH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF CLOSING SPACES BETWEEN SUBMERGED BODIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331.658, dated December1, 1885.

Application filed August 11, 1885. Serial No. 174,093. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES SooYsMrrH, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Methodof Closing Spaces Between Submerged Bodies, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved method of closing apertures incaissons,vessels,and other submerged bodies, and preventing the entranceof water therein while being repaired or pumped out, or before raisingthem; and the invention consists in the novel application of a freezingmethod for closing the joints between submerged bodies that have beenbroken into by collision or other causes, and the edges of temporarycovers or patches used to cover the openings thus accidentally produced.

My invention consists, also, in the novel manner of raising submergedvessels by placing freezing-pipes (containing a circulatingfreezing-mixture) under the edge or adjacent to the edge of temporarypatches, and covers used to close openings in the side or top ofsubmerged bodies, packing mud, clay, or other substance of this natureagainst said pipes and edges, causing said mud, clay, 820., to congealand adhere to the submerged body and to the temporary cover,and solidlyunite these parts before exhausting the water and forcing air therein.

This invention is closely allied to the method of buildingtunnels,caissons,&c.,described in a companion application for patent,and will hereinafter be particularly described,and specifically setforth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a submergedbody,that may be a caisson used in submarine engineering or a vesselsunk by accident, but provided with a tarpaulin or temporary cover and acontinuous pipe under its edges for the passage of a freezing-mixture.Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the same caisson or vessel, showingthe hole in its side and its temporary cover. Fig. 3 represents aportion of the deck or hull of a submerged vessel, showing my means forsealing the edges of the hatch to the edges of the hatchway.

Like letters indicate like parts in all the figures.

In Figs. 1 and 2, A represents a portion of the walls of a submergedcaisson, vessel, or other body. These walls are generally formed ofplanking a and a secured to the outside and to the inside of verticalstudding or ribs a as the case may be. This planking is represented ashaving been damaged or perforated at a, and the object in view is toprevent the passage of water through said perforation. For this purposea frame or covering, B, has been built to extend beyond the edges of theperforation of when applied in position. This frame is shown asrectangular, but may be of any desired conformation. It is also shown asmade of lumber or other rigid material; but it may be made of imperviouscanvas or rubber cloth, to permit it to take the form of the curvedsurface to which it is to be attached. To the under side of the coveringB, adjacent to the edges, there is attached, for convenience inretaining the lute or packing (mud, clay, c.) around these edges, acontinuoustrough, b, within which is placed the pipe G, through which awater-freezing mediumeither gas or liquid-is made to circulate, andpacking around said pipe is the lute of mud, clay, or other substance,D, (holding water in suspension,) that it is intended to congeal, andthus to seal the joints between the submerged body and the cover B.Before this cover is frozen fast to this body it is temporarily retainedin proper position by chains passing around said body, or by screw-boltsinserted therein, or by other means, as the circumstance may direct.

In Fig. 3 the same method is applied to seal the joints between thehatch B and the deck A of sunken vessel, the lute or packing-clay beingshown at D, and the freezing-pipe 0 embedded in the latter,so that whenthe hatch is securely frozen to the deck the water in the hold can bepumped out and air forced in its place to raise the vessel.

Having now fully described my invention, I claim-- 1. The method ofclosing openings in submerged bodies and raising them, which consists inapplying a covering-body near the opening, luting the space between saidbodies and said covering with clay or any suitable lute, inclosing apipe in said lute, and eirouthrough said pipes, whereby the packed clayiating a freezing-mixture therethrough, then is made to adhere bycongelation to both of exhausting the water and admitting air in thesubmerged bodies,substantia11y as and for said bodies, substantially asand for the purthe purpose described. I 5 5 pose described. In testimonywhereof I affix my signature in 2. The method of uniting a covering-bodypresence of two witnesses.

to a submerged body, which consists in placing freezingpipesbetween'said covering and body, CHARLES SOOYSMITH packing luting-clayaround said pipes, so that Vitnesses:

10 the lute will be in contact with both bodies, JOHN RODGERS,

and passing a current of a freezing medium Gno. GERRY WVHITE.

